Cracking rescue by fireman Steve

firefighter Steve Broadhurst (centre) is pictured with fellow Oldham Green Watch colleagues Jim Elleray and watch manager Jon Nolan

Battery hens get an eggcellent new home
AN Oldham firefighter has proved he’s an all round good egg - by adopting more than 50 battery hens.

Steve Broadhurst of Oldham Fire Station is a keen supporter of the British Hen Welfare Trust.

He has 28 chickens on land next to his house in Moorside.

“I’ve always liked animals and when I heard you could re-home former battery hens, I thought it was a great idea,” he said.

“When they arrive, some of them have nearly all of their feathers missing. But when you give the hens a bit of space to move around and some food and water, they start to grow back. They lay some great eggs too so everyone’s a winner!”

Battery hens start laying eggs at 22 weeks and after a year are often sent for slaughter. rescue by people like Steve means they can live out their days for another seven to eight years.

The fire-tackling vegetarian has nursed more than 50 former battery hens back to health in the past five years.

“It’s really nice to see them come on,” he said. “During their time as a battery hen, they are kept cooped up on top of each other in cramped artificial conditions. They seem so happy living a free range lifestyle with me. The lads on the station like it too - there’s always a batch of eggs I can bring in for the watch.”